I've been interviewing quite a lot of recent grads at my new job. We've had some alarming interviews with recent grads who farking REEK of alcohol during the interview. They clearly can't smell it, and since they're young they don't look hungover, but Jesus Christ I've worked with functioning alcoholics who manage to come to work each day smelling better than these kids. Here's a protip: don't go out drinking the night before an interview. You can go out drinking right after the interview, just stay dry for 24 hours before the interview. Women or men - they'll try to cover it up with Axe or perfume but that sour alcohol smell is still there.

We've also had people who come from areas of the world where deodorant or perfume isn't commonly used. My advice? Learn to use it at least for the interview. We sat through a horrific 60 minutes with a woman who was very attractive, very qualified, and who smelled like she hadn't washed herself in 16 days. It was a stink that lingered so strongly the next interview candidate felt the need to point out the smell wasn't coming from her. I sympathized. Four hours later I could still smell that woman in the room. If Seinfeld hadn't done it first, it could have been a sitcom episode.

This article is so farking dumb. The whole thing is based off a survey about what people say is important in their daily lives. All around the one data point saying that "millennials" (they never actually define the term) only scored deodorant at 87, versus a 91 for all "adults" surveyed (again, age range not defined). Nothing about actual usage or odor, just saying if they think that deodorant is of daily importance. And then they took that 4 point difference and just randomly threw in some condescending job advice and the requisite shiatting on millennials.

TheOmni:This article is so farking dumb. The whole thing is based off a survey about what people say is important in their daily lives. All around the one data point saying that "millennials" (they never actually define the term) only scored deodorant at 87, versus a 91 for all "adults" surveyed (again, age range not defined). Nothing about actual usage or odor, just saying if they think that deodorant is of daily importance. And then they took that 4 point difference and just randomly threw in some condescending job advice and the requisite shiatting on millennials.

This. They take a ranking, which place deodorant or toothbrush slightly down the list, and act as though they were completely exluded. When you factor in the way millenials are portrayed a being obsessed with smartphones and social media, there might be some social training showing itself.

Lsherm:I've been interviewing quite a lot of recent grads at my new job. We've had some alarming interviews with recent grads who farking REEK of alcohol during the interview. They clearly can't smell it, and since they're young they don't look hungover, but Jesus Christ I've worked with functioning alcoholics who manage to come to work each day smelling better than these kids. Here's a protip: don't go out drinking the night before an interview. You can go out drinking right after the interview, just stay dry for 24 hours before the interview. Women or men - they'll try to cover it up with Axe or perfume but that sour alcohol smell is still there.

We've also had people who come from areas of the world where deodorant or perfume isn't commonly used. My advice? Learn to use it at least for the interview. We sat through a horrific 60 minutes with a woman who was very attractive, very qualified, and who smelled like she hadn't washed herself in 16 days. It was a stink that lingered so strongly the next interview candidate felt the need to point out the smell wasn't coming from her. I sympathized. Four hours later I could still smell that woman in the room. If Seinfeld hadn't done it first, it could have been a sitcom episode.

Maybe those drunk job candidates don't really want to work for you and are just using you for practice. As for Funky Foreigner, you have all my sympathy and admiration for not breaking down and saying something to her about it. On the other hand, after a reasonable interval, sending her anonymous packages of Secret and some body wash might be the most humanitarian thing you will ever do.

This one time I came into work really hung over and my boss told me I smelled like liquor. I was really embarrassed, but my boss was cool about it, like he knew how it felt - like he'd been there and done that and understood.

TheOther:Maybe those drunk job candidates don't really want to work for you and are just using you for practice. As for Funky Foreigner, you have all my sympathy and admiration for not breaking down and saying something to her about it. On the other hand, after a reasonable interval, sending her anonymous packages of Secret and some body wash might be the most humanitarian thing you will ever do.

Fair enough, but why bother? Who thinks like this? Why would anyone interview for a $60K a year job smelling like booze, especially if you don't have any work experience? I'll accept they think they can get something better, but that's a great starting salary outside of the financial industry, particularly for a job advertised as "recent graduates welcome."

I will not send anything to the woman who stank because it opens us up to all kinds of liability.

TheOmni:This article is so farking dumb. The whole thing is based off a survey about what people say is important in their daily lives. All around the one data point saying that "millennials" (they never actually define the term) only scored deodorant at 87, versus a 91 for all "adults" surveyed (again, age range not defined). Nothing about actual usage or odor, just saying if they think that deodorant is of daily importance. And then they took that 4 point difference and just randomly threw in some condescending job advice and the requisite shiatting on millennials.

This would be a textbook example of how journalists intentionally f*ck up reporting scientific findings for the sake of circulation or, in this case, clicks. A weak and relatively irrelevant study about deodorant use becomes "Unemployable Generation Reek."

baconbeard:I wouldn't want to work for a company that expects me to "shower" and "groom" myself.

I'm a millennial and I see it as a form of sexual harassment. What is that they're buttering me up for? "Mmm, u smell nice" my new boss will say to me on the first day of work. "I'm glad u followed my advice and soaped up ;). Drinks l8r?". Omg!! not interested k...

TheOmni:This article is so farking dumb. The whole thing is based off a survey about what people say is important in their daily lives. All around the one data point saying that "millennials" (they never actually define the term) only scored deodorant at 87, versus a 91 for all "adults" surveyed (again, age range not defined). Nothing about actual usage or odor, just saying if they think that deodorant is of daily importance. And then they took that 4 point difference and just randomly threw in some condescending job advice and the requisite shiatting on millennials.

Yeah, it is utter garbage. Even their comparison for Millennial doesn't make sense. Smartphones were "'very' or 'somewhat' important" while deodorant and toothbrushes were of "daily importance".

The vast majority of difference is people giving their phone a higher importance, not ranking hygiene lower. Mobile phone for those 18-24 is 5% above the overall average, while deodorant is 1% below and toothbrush 2% below. And the increase of the mobile phone can easily be explained by those 18-24 putting much less importance on computers.

TheOmni:This article is so farking dumb. The whole thing is based off a survey about what people say is important in their daily lives. All around the one data point saying that "millennials" (they never actually define the term) only scored deodorant at 87, versus a 91 for all "adults" surveyed (again, age range not defined). Nothing about actual usage or odor, just saying if they think that deodorant is of daily importance. And then they took that 4 point difference and just randomly threw in some condescending job advice and the requisite shiatting on millennials.

So much this, smartphones are luxuries which they have one of, it's became most peoples main tool for socializing and entertainment. Most had to beg their parents or buy one themselves. While deodorant and toothbrush have always just been provided. They are always there, and if not their are mints, gum, and body spray. And not to mention you use deodorant once a day, maybe twice, and toothbrushes once to four times a day, but smartphones are out constantly.

some_beer_drinker:i don't wear deodorant because it gives me a rash. i also sweat a lot, so i smell like rotten fruit.

Have you considered the Thai Deodorant Stone? Actually heard about this on a fark thread, and having a teen daughter who just didn't respond to deodorant at all, I bought it for her. Of course, she rolled her eyes and such, but she uses it, and it works like a charm.

Having had to personally take a few of my younger friends (and pay for) to get a haircut before a job interview or trying to get a date I can sympathize. Yah, people should judge you on the quality of your character but they don't. And showing you are willing to make a bit of extra effort to look nice for something important goes a long way. Not to mention the extra confidence boost it will give you.

As a millennial I can confirm this. Even in college, most guys my age think that a big ol' handful of Axe cologne is just as good as a shower.

/No substitute for soap and water.//My first college roommate stunk so badly that the dorm manager accused us of having a litter box in the room.///I had to keep the window open even when it was snowing.

TheOmni:This article is so farking dumb. The whole thing is based off a survey about what people say is important in their daily lives. All around the one data point saying that "millennials" (they never actually define the term) only scored deodorant at 87, versus a 91 for all "adults" surveyed (again, age range not defined). Nothing about actual usage or odor, just saying if they think that deodorant is of daily importance. And then they took that 4 point difference and just randomly threw in some condescending job advice and the requisite shiatting on millennials.

I read the first two sentences and xed the page out.

I don't read a lot of MSNBC, so I was kind of shocked that that is what actually passes as newsworthy over there.